Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Preparing Last Minute Tax Returns? It is Important to be Quick and Careful!

Millions of Americans rushing to complete their tax returns are vulnerable to
hackers.

The Digital Citizens Alliance has compiled a new list of tips for
those who are still putting the finishing touches on their 2012 returns. The
deadline for submitting those returns to the IRS is next Monday, April
15.
Among the key points in the report:

Spam often has a target audience, but is not usually sent just to that
audience. When criminals know exactly whom they are sending fake emails to, that
would be spear-phishing - a much more targeted scam effort. However, there is a
population who responds immediately for the instant gratification of even a
minimal amount of money and the promise of not having to file a detailed return.

Pirated tax software is common and can open you up to malware, and online
tax preparation services can also be home to scams.

Purchasing pirated software of any kind could open buyers up to sanctions
from the software manufacturer.

Tax software is becoming obsolete, replaced by completely online services,
which opens users up to new risks from criminals who can devise get-rich-quick
schemes.

Most tax-related identity theft victims do not know about the crime until
they try to file their real tax return.

“Tax return documents contain all the information an identity thief needs to
become you - all wrapped up in one neat package. Properly storing and disposing
of your old tax returns is probably one of the most important things you can do
all year,” said Garth Bruen, a Digital Citizens Security Fellow and Internet
fraud analyst.

Digital Citizens is a consumer-oriented coalition focused on educating the
public and policy makers on the threats that consumers face on the Internet and
the importance for Internet stakeholders – individuals, government and industry
- to make the Web a safer place. Based in Washington, DC, the Digital Citizens
Alliance counts among its supporters: private citizens, the health,
pharmaceutical and creative industries as well as online safety experts and
other communities focused on Internet safety. For more information, please
visit digitalcitizensalliance.org.